Where to go in Morocco

Djemaa el-Fna

Djemaa el-Fna, the main square of Marrakesh, originally served as a public execution site in ancient Morocco around 1050 AD, hence the name, which can be translated to “assembly of death.”

Today, however, this square is all about the living.

Every night, Djemaa el-Fna springs to life and buzzes with a range of public performances. These acts, which include some very old and traditional shows, attract flock of spectators and tourists to the plaza.

Entertainers such as some daring snake charmers, modish musicians, and glitzy roaming vendors rule the open arena and take care of the nighttime amusement. A range of leisure restaurants and bistros offer the perfect ambience for anybody – local or tourist alike – to unwind and savor the gentle city breeze at night.

Djemaa el-Fna has kept up with the modern world, and yet, it keeps its grasp on the ancient culture which makes any place interesting in these modern times. Beneath the electric urban lights, the square remains the home of Moroccan legends and ancient folk tales. Throngs of storytellers, fortunetellers, psychic healers, and belly dancers still populate the lively streets of Djemaa el-Fna.

Taourirt Kasbah

The kasbah of Taourirt, which housed the second-tier leaders of the Glaoui people during the early years of the 20th century, is a striking fortress in the town of Ouarzazate. At present, the site serves as a historical testimonial to the lasting legacy of the Moroccan Glaoui dynasty.

The whole site was built with adobe, using a mixture of clay and straw that dries into a hard stone. The crowns of the fortress are decorated with unusual geometric patterns and embellishments.

Inside the fortress enclosure, you will find a tight collection of buildings, alleys, and gateways. Within the fortress walls are many stairwells that lead to strangely shaped room, some of which have plaster work decorations.

There are nearly 300 rooms you can visit in the Taourirt Kasbah. Some of the most interesting are the palace kitchens and the former harem.

Hassan II Mosque

Named after its creator King Hassan II, the gigantic Hassan Mosque II in the city of Casablanca is the product of a seven-year (1986 to 1993) joint artistic effort of more than 10,000 laborers, craftsmen, and artists.

Almost all the materials used to build the mosque were locally sourced.

Reports declared that the construction of the mosque cost around a whopping 800 million US dollars.

The wealth and grandeur of the mosque figures prominently in its architecture, perfectly complementing its bizarre and fantastic location directly over a portion of the Atlantic Ocean, for the mosque was built on reclaimed land.

A portion of the mosque’s flooring is made of sparkling glass, which allows the people who visit the mosque to pray to their Creator while kneeling over the ocean, with their feet firmly on land, contemplating God’s sky – but only royalty may access this part of the mosque.

The mosque’s Islamic minaret rises at 689 feet and shines a powerful shaft of light toward Mecca every night.

The structure is earthquake proof and features heater floors, a sliding roof, and electric doors.

Guided tours to the mosque are done several times daily. Make sure that you are modestly dressed. You will be asked to take off your shoes before entering the mosque.

Volubilis Ruins

Volubilis was once a rich oil- and grain-producing Roman city in the heart of Morocco. Its well-preserved ruins of ancient Roman settlements, which the Romans left in 3 AD, covered more than 40 hectares of land. More than 20,000 people once resided there.

Today, some of the city’s surviving remains are the ancient Triumphal Arch, olden dwellings, a church, bridges, oil presses, and public baths. All these showcase the former vibrance of the site.

Mosaic floors, arched walls, and sculpted bronze heads that have been excavated here also hint at the affluence of the city.

The mosaic floors are especially interesting as they feature intricate and amazingly well-preserved images of animals or Roman gods and goddesses.

Presently, the site is considered the most significant archaeological treasure of Morocco. It was declared a World Heritage Site by the UNESCO in 1997.

Royal Palace

Fez, Morocco’s third largest city, sits at the heart of the country’s religious, intellectual, and culinary culture. In contrast with other prominent and modernized Moroccan cities such as Marrakesh and Casablanca, Fez largely shuns the present and continues to bask in the splendor of its past as one of the most civilized Western outpost during the Middle Ages.

Fez is a city of old mosques, historical shrines, Islamic schools, public houses, and marketplaces. One of the most popular attractions in the city is the 80-hectare Dar el Makhzen, or the Royal Palace, which dates as far back as the 17th century.

The palace complex is a spectacular district of mosques, schools, and impressive gardens. Although visitors are not allowed to step into the compound, the palace remains a breathtaking sight even when viewed from afar.

The enormous doors guarding the palace garden easily capture one’s attention with their giant knockers made of brass. The palace doors are made of gold.

In case you are curious as to what’s inside the palace, it houses precious Moroccan treasures, including ancient pottery, silk cloth, weapons, and historical documents.

But take our word for it: even if you are not able to see what’s inside, the outside of the palace is already something worth seeing. In fact, it is one of Fez’s top tourist attractions.